Never judging books by their cover

On Tuesday 28th November, I had the pleasure of attending the annual Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards. For the last number of years, I’ve observed the coverage on social media and television and this year I decided to become part of the experience.

Held in the Clayton Hotel, Dublin, the black tie affair was hosted by RTÉ presenters Keelin Shanley and Evelyn O’Rourke and awarded some of the Ireland’s finest literary talent as well as a special accolade to David Walliams for his contribution to children’s reading.

I had the most wonderful evening at the awards. It gave me the opportunity to meet some of my favourite authors as well as meeting some of my Twitter friends in real life. Set against an opulent background with delicious food and company, the awards was most definitely a night to remember.

The successful winners of the evening were.

EASON BOOK CLUB NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2017
‘Midwinter Break’ by Bernard MacLaverty.

SPECSAVERS POPULAR FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2017
‘The Break’ by Marian Keyes.

RTÉ RADIO 1’S THE RYAN TUBRIDY SHOW LISTENERS’ CHOICE AWARD 2017
‘He: A Novel’ By John Connolly.

SUNDAY INDEPENDENT NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR 2017
‘I Found My Tribe’ by Ruth Fitzmaurice.

THEJOURNAL.IE BEST IRISH PUBLISHED BOOK OF THE YEAR 2017
‘Atlas Of The Irish Revolution’ by John Crowley, Donal Ó Drisceoil, Mike Murphy and John Borgonovo.

IRISH INDEPENDENT CRIME FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2017
‘The Therapy House’ by Julie Parsons.

NATIONAL BOOK TOKENS CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR (JUNIOR) 2017
‘A Sailor Went To Sea, Sea, Sea,- Favourite Rhymes From An Irish Childhood’ by Sarah Webb and illustrated by Steve McCarthy.

NATIONAL BOOK TOKENS CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR (SENIOR) 2017
‘Stand By Me’ by Judi Curtin.

DEPT 51 @ EASON TEEN/YOUNG ADULT BOOK OF THE YEAR 2017
‘Tangleweed And Brine’ by Deirdre Sullivan and illustrated by Karen Vaughan.

THE WRITING.IE SHORT STORY OF THE YEAR 2017
‘Back To Bones’ by Christine Dwyer Hickey.

THE LISTOWEL WRITERS’ WEEK POEM OF THE YEAR 2017
‘Seven Sugar Cubes’ by Clodagh Beresford Dunne.

IRELAND AM POPULAR NONFICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2017
‘Motherfoclóir’ by Darcha Ó Séaghda.

ONSIDE NONFICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2017
‘Wounds: A Memoir Of War And Love’ by Fergal Keane.

EUROSPAR COOKBOOK OF THE YEAR 2017
‘Cook Well, Eat Well’ by Rory O’Connell.

BORD GÁIS ENERGY SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2017
‘The Choice’ by Philly McMahon with Niall Kelly.